Patna: The fourth day of the Bihar Assembly’s winter session on Thursday witnessed a heated exchange between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and opposition MLAs, with tensions centring on development issues and a controversial nickname, “Bulldozer Baba.”
During discussions on the Governor’s address, CM Nitish congratulated newly elected MLAs and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support in Bihar’s development, urging all members to raise their hands in salute. When RJD MLAs remained seated, the chief minister asked pointedly, “Why don’t you do it too?”
The session quickly turned confrontational when RJD MLA Bhai Virendra raised concerns about river erosion in Maner. CM interrupted, insisting, “Listen to me first,” before continuing his address. The CM later remarked on the RJD’s opposition, saying he had offered them opportunities for development in the past, but “when they created chaos, they left. Now he is with them. He will never join you.”
The debate also spotlighted the controversial nickname of BJP leader Samrat Choudhary. RJD MLA Kumar Sarvjeet said, “Samrat Choudhary was named after a king by his parents. Now he has been renamed Bulldozer Baba. Journalists explained that the nickname comes from demolishing the houses of the poor. If you have become Deputy CM, don’t call yourself Samratji by demolishing huts.”
Earlier, the election for the Deputy Speaker took place, with Narendra Narayan Yadav elected unopposed. Yadav, who also served as the Pro-tem Speaker for the session, won for the eighth time from the Alamnagar Assembly constituency in Madhepura district.
The House also saw demonstrations from Congress MLA Kamarul Oda, who called for the release of funds for AMU Kishanganj, holding up posters to press the demand.
Several key amendments are expected to be tabled during the session, including the Minister-in-Charge (Salary, Allowance and Pension Amendment Rules for Members of the Legislative Assembly), 2025; the Bihar Fire Service Amendment Rules, 2025; the Bihar Amin Cadre Rules, 2025; and the Bihar State Election Commissioner Appointment and Service Conditions Amendment Rules, 2025.
